Principal Welcome Back Letter

Dear Garrettford Families,

I hope everyone has had a wonderful summer filled with time to relax, recharge, and make some great memories with family and friends. It’s hard to believe another school year is already here, and I am excited to welcome everyone back to Garrettford for the 2026–2027 school year! We are especially excited this year to welcome our Kindergarten students and families to Garrettford for the very first time!

Our first day of school will be Monday, August 31st. Students will have a 12:15 PM dismissal on August 31st and September 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Schools will be closed on Friday, September 4th and Monday, September 7th for the Labor Day holiday. Students will return on Tuesday, September 8th for our first full day of school.

We have so much to look forward to this year and are excited to build on all of the great things happening at Garrettford. Our staff remains committed to providing high-quality instruction while creating a school environment where every child feels welcomed, supported, challenged, and connected. We look forward to partnering with our families throughout the year to make 2026–2027 another great year for our students!

Please take a few minutes to read through this entire email, as there is a lot of important information below to help you and your family prepare for the start of the school year.

“Through the Eyes of Those We Serve”

This year, our theme will look a little different. Rather than having individual school themes, our entire district will share one common theme: “Through the Eyes of Those We Serve.” This message will guide our work at Garrettford throughout the year and remind us of the importance of looking at our school through the eyes of our students and families.

“Through the Eyes of Those We Serve” challenges all of us to think about how our students experience school each day. Every interaction, decision, lesson, and opportunity matters. By taking the time to understand the perspectives and needs of others, we can continue creating an environment where every child feels seen, heard, supported, and valued. Throughout the year, we will encourage our students to practice this same mindset by showing empathy, understanding different perspectives, and thinking about how their actions impact those around them.

Ultimately, this theme is about keeping our students at the center of everything we do. When we take the time to see Garrettford through their eyes, we can make an already special school community even stronger.

Important Dates – Monday, August 31st (first student day) through Thursday, September 3rd will be 12:15 PM dismissal days. District schools will be closed on Friday, September 4th and Monday, September 7th for the Labor Day holiday. Back-to-School Night for grades 1–5 will be held on September 10th from 6:45–8:00 PM. Kindergarten will have its own Back-to-School Night on August 27th (more details will be shared later this week). Below are links to the district calendar.

• 26/27 year at a glance calendar

• 26/27 calendar summary

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

School starts promptly at 8:50 a.m. Adult supervision begins at 8:30 a.m. For your child’s safety, students may arrive no earlier than 8:30 a.m.

For the first day of school only, students in grades 1–5 will be directed to the back playground, where they will line up with their homerooms. Kindergarten students will enter through the gym doors located at the front of the building (not the main entrance) and report directly into the gym. Staff members will be there to welcome our Kindergarten students and help them find their teacher.

During the first day, teachers will review our regular arrival procedures with all students. Beginning on Day 2, all students will enter the building upon arrival and follow their regular arrival routine. The back playground lineup for grades 1–5 and the gym arrival for Kindergarten will only take place on the first day of school.

Garrettford is primarily a walking/neighborhood school, and safety is our number one priority. We know there is a lot of traffic and congestion during arrival and dismissal, especially during the first few weeks of school. I ask that you please be patient with us as everyone gets back into the routine. We strongly recommend that families carpool or walk whenever possible. If you are dropping students off, please use the loop on the Wawa side of the building off of Burmont Road. If you plan to park, please use the parking lot on the apartment side of the building off of Garrett Road. Please be mindful of others and drive slowly through our parking lots.

Dismissal is at 3:15 p.m. It is important that you plan to meet your child (or have siblings meet them) at your child’s assigned area outside. It is imperative that you communicate your child’s arrival and dismissal plans with their teacher. Your child’s teacher will let you know which exit they will be using for dismissal prior to the start of the school year.

All students need to exit school grounds immediately upon dismissal. If you are picking up your child, it is important that your child knows where to meet you and that you arrive on time. Please begin having conversations with your children about their specific dismissal plan and the importance of exiting school grounds immediately. This will really help us streamline our dismissal procedures and ensure a safe and smooth start to the school year.

As we begin a new year, we want to recognize three longtime Garrettford staff members who retired: Joni Perlman, Lisa Saputelli, and our building assistant, Susan Pinto. We thank them for their years of dedication to Garrettford and wish them all the best in retirement.

We are also excited to welcome Kelly Mowrer and Colleen Hand from the Kindergarten Center as our new Kindergarten teachers! Both are veteran Kindergarten teachers with a wealth of experience, and we are very fortunate to have them joining Garrettford as we welcome Kindergarten for the first time.

We also have one grade-level change this year. Mr. Donahue will be moving from 5th grade to 4th grade.

It is critical that all families familiarize themselves with Home Access Center (HAC). Parents can update their contact information, including email addresses, through HAC so they receive regular updates from schools and the District. Schedules, homeroom assignments, and cohort information can also be obtained through HAC.

The Home Access Center (HAC) system is closed each summer for maintenance and planning and will reopen on August 27. For your convenience, your HAC account name will be emailed to you on that same day.

You can access HAC on or after August 27 through the HAC portal link.

Please review the Home Access Center Guide for more information about HAC.

For support with HAC log-in credentials, please contact your child’s school building secretary. If further support is needed, please send an email to parentportal@upperdarbysd.org. Include in your email your name, your child(ren)'s name(s), and a phone number where you can best be reached during business hours. Account access and credentials are only provided to the identified parent/guardian associated with a student in our student information system.

Due to a change in the HAC security system, parents will need to reset passwords if forgotten, as the District and schools no longer have access to HAC passwords. If you have forgotten your password, you will need to click on “Reset Password.” A link will be sent to the email address on file in HAC. Email parentportal@upperdarbysd.org for additional support.

Our Welcome Back Water Ice Social will be held on Wednesday, August 19th from 6:30–7:30 PM on the back playground. Just a reminder that this is not a teacher meet-and-greet, but simply a fun social event hosted by our Home & School where students can play on the playground and reconnect with friends they may have missed over the summer. Teacher assignments will not be available until August 27th.

Also, due to our ongoing building renovations, we were unable to hold our traditional New Family Orientation this summer. Mrs. Mantzaridis and I will be available during the Water Ice Social to welcome our new families and answer any questions you may have about Garrettford or the upcoming school year. We hope to see everyone there!

Every Garrettford student will receive a Chromebook once again. Students will be issued a Chromebook in school from their homeroom teacher within the first week of school.

The purpose of our District handbook is to communicate with families any expectations, policies or procedures You can view the handbook here - https://app.smore.com/n/r9028.

Transportation letters for District students (only if you qualify) and bus assignments will be sent out by the transportation dept. on August 17th. There have been some major changes in busing the last few years and we have only a handful of kids that qualify for bus transportation. If you live within a mile of Garrettford you would not qualify for bus transportation.

Student emergency cards will be sent home to all families at the beginning of the school year. Parents/guardians should review the information and make any changes to send back to the school. Schools will need the most up-to-date phone numbers, home address and email addresses to ensure clear home-school communication. Please note any new medical information so that the school nurse is aware and can keep your child safe.

Below are the school supply lists for this school year. If you have any questions please reach out to your child’s teacher. The lists are also available on our website.

Following the same attendance procedures as in previous years, all absences require a written note from a parent, and should also follow up with a phone call to the office. You are encouraged to report absences via email at ges-attendance@upperdarbysd.org . Absences should not exceed 10 days in the school year. Please refer to the District Policy for more information on the UDSD website.

It’s been another busy summer at Garrettford! This year, our biggest project has been the installation of all new interior classroom, office, and hallway doors throughout the building. In addition to giving the building a fresh new look, these new doors are an important upgrade to the overall safety and security of our school.

Several classrooms and hallway areas have also received fresh paint. We’re excited for everyone to see the improvements when students return!

We continue to strengthen our school safety and to improve school climate and culture through teacher and staff training, interior and exterior camera systems throughout the District, building entry protocols, emergency communications tools and protocols, and programs that support students’ behavioral, academic, social, emotional, and mental health.

We are continuing our work on restorative justice, trauma-informed care, Youth Court, and our award-winning Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) program. Students participate in PBIS lessons designed to teach school-wide expectations, to support the overall well-being of students, and to ensure that our students feel connected to their school community.

All four secondary schools use a digital hall pass management system called SmartPass. This user-friendly platform allows students to request and receive digital passes for activities such as leaving class, visiting the library, and more. The system streamlines student movement throughout the school, making it easier for staff to monitor and manage hall traffic in real time. Administrators benefit from comprehensive tracking and reporting features, improving accountability and reducing classroom disruptions. With real-time tracking, staff can quickly identify students who are out of class without a pass and ensure everyone is where they should be, ultimately enhancing school efficiency and safety. To view more about SmartPass please view our presentation: The Smart Solution to Hall Passes for Upper Darby School District.

All four secondary schools also Evolv Express, an advanced weapons detection system designed to enhance safety while minimizing inconvenience. Unlike traditional metal detectors, Evolv Express uses AI and sensors to distinguish between personal items and potential threats, providing a touchless, efficient screening process that reduces student stress. Secondary schools have multiple Evolv Express systems at key entrances, with trained staff managing the flow and conducting secondary screenings as needed. Accommodations are in place for those with medical devices, and only administration will conduct searches. These measures are part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining a safe and welcoming school environment.

We provide ongoing training to teachers and staff on our CrisisGo safety mobile app, which is used districtwide to communicate emergency management information. Parents are invited to register to receive CrisisGo alerts through the app. Principals will share CrisisGo registration in their weekly communications. More information about emergency communications can be found in the Upper Darby School District Student and Family Handbook.

We will continue in our training of staff and students on the Safe2Say Something, a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” before it is too late.

Throughout the summer we will meet with our School Safety Team which includes the Upper Darby Police Department (UDPD), Upper Darby Fire Department (UDFD), and Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Principals, Assistant Principals and school district administration. As with each year, we will discuss emergency and safety protocols in our buildings. We are very appreciative of the continued support and relationships we have with local law enforcement and emergency responders. We will continue to look into ways to promote safe and supportive schools throughout the District.

Principals will be sending out more emergency preparedness information in their School Student and Family Handbooks.

The school district provides meals through the Community Eligibility Provision of the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program. This means that ALL students in grades 1-12 are automatically eligible to receive breakfast and lunch at no charge to families every day, beginning the first full day of school. AM Kindergarten students will receive breakfast, and PM Kindergarten students will receive lunch. Families do not have to fill out an application. Free meals will be provided automatically to any student who would like them.

• 2026-2027 Elementary School Code of Character—https://app.smore.com/n/zsk5q

• 2026-2027 Online Learning Manual for Students and Parents — https://app.smore.com/n/572048
• Parent Volunteer Resource Packet—https://app.smore.com/n/8nzfy
• 2026-2027 Emergency Communications Plan—https://app.smore.com/n/gq8c7
• CrisisGo Subscription Flyer–https://app.smore.com/n/8w120

• Emergency Preparedness Safety Terms FAQs—https://app.smore.com/n/aceyh (NOTE: The CHMS code will be added shortly.)

• 2026-2027 School Closing Plan Due to Employee Absences and Bus Driver Shortages — https://app.smore.com/n/zq42r

It continues to be an honor to serve as the principal of Garrettford Elementary School. I am incredibly proud of the community we have built together and appreciate the continued partnership of our families, staff, and students. I look forward to another year of working together to ensure every child feels supported, connected, and challenged to reach their full potential.

I hope this letter provides the information you need for a smooth start to the school year. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at the school.

Enjoy the last few weeks of summer, and I can’t wait to welcome everyone back to Garrettford!

Sincerely,

Allen Brydges

Principal – Garrettford Elementary School